Container for aseptic filling and dispensing of sterile liquids



NOV- 6, 1945- c. MA DE WooDY CONTAINER FOR ASEPTIC FlLLINGA AND DISPENSING vOF' STERILE 'LIQUIS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed DeC. 7, 1944 lll @www

Nov. 6, 1945. C, M DE www 2,388,634

CONTAINER FOR ASEPTIC FILLING AND DISPENSING OF :JTERILE LIQUIDS Filed Deo. 7, 1944 3 Sheets-Shet 2 N f J Nov. 6, 1945.

c. M. DE WOODY 2,388,634

CONTAIER FOR ASEPTI-C FILLING AND DISPENSINGYOF STERILE LIQUIDS Filed Deo. 7, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 @MJS mod,

Patented Nov. 6, 1945 CONTAINER FOR ASEPTIC FILLING AND DIS- PENSING F STERILE LIQUIDS Vineland, N. J., assigner Charles M. De Woody,

to Ace Glass Incorpo corporation of New J rated, Vineland, N. J., a ersey Application December 7, 1944, Serial No. 567,094 13 Claims. (Cl. 12S-272') This invention relates to a container for aseptic filling and dispensing lof sterile liquids, and moreV particularly to novel closures -for such containers.

Many types oi' closures have been used for containers of sterile liquids. However, those fluids which are not adaptable to heat sterilization present special problems. Containers for such materials or fluids must be sterilized before iilling and maintained sterile. Strict aseptic manipulation must be observed throughout, particularly with those iiuids which Vare intended for human consumption either by mouth or by injection. Heretofore, containers for such purposes have been proposed and usedv to some extent but they have disadvantages. The primary object of the present invention ls to provide a container -adapted particularly for use with uids which are not. heat sterilizable, that is, uids which would decompose, congeal, etc. under the influence of sterilizing heat, and one which eliminates the objectionable features of the devices heretofore proposed.

With the foregoing object outlined and with other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: l

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a container in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view with the cap removed.

Fig. 3 is a topplan view of the cap.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a washer or gasket employed in the construction shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a modification.l

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the top portion of a container and illustrating another modication.

Fig. 7 is a view like Fig. 1 of another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the upper portion of a container having'a `double walled cap.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar sectional view taken on the to Fig. a but 'showing a container with a double walled neck.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs.

' 1 to 4, inclusive, II designates the body of a container made of glass or any other suitable material, provided at its upperend with a top I2 having a center hole Iland an of! center hole I4,

lternal ange I9 at the other.

-Joint 39, and this the latter being preferably counter-bored. Rising from the top is a neckV I5 having at the exterior thereof a coarse pitched screw thread I6.

II designates a cap of plastics or material, having a top I8 at one end and an ex- A substantially cylindrical portion 20 of the cap is provided with an internal screw thread 2|- corresponding with the thread I6 and engaging the latter with a loose fit so that air can travel between the neck of the bottle and the cylindrical wall of the cap when the latter is elevated relatively to the container. The cap terminates in a hexagonal portion 22 to facilitate turning of the same, and the cap flange has an orice 23 designed to register with the hole I4 when the cap is in a certain position relatively to the container.

24 designates a resilient washer of rubber or the like, having a central hole 25 for the reception of the neck of the bottle, and also provided at one side with a. plug 26. designed to t in the hole I4`of the container. A tongue and groove joint 2l may be provided between the plug and the wall of the hole I 4 for sealing purposes, and the washer has an indication or indentation 28 immediately above the center of the plug,l serving as a guide for the insertion of a hypodermic needle or the like.

The hole I3 is closed substantially by a second plug 29 secured in position by a tongue and groove plug has an air vent 3l. The plug 29 is also preferably formed of rubber or the like and has a, cavity 32 in the top thereof for the reception of a frusto-conical stopper 33 formed of resilient material, such as rubber, and grasping an annular flange 34 at the lower end of va tubulature 35 lwhich depends from the top I 8 of the cap and is provided with a tapered bore 36.

When the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. l, an annular crown cap 31 may be employed to interlock the flange of the cap with an annular bead 38 at the top of the bottle,

Before iilling the bottle,"` the screw cap I 'I is loosely engaged on the neck, of the bottle so that the stopper 33 does not contact the bottle above the plug 29, leaving the air vent 3I open. Similarly, there is no pressure upon theY washer 24 so that slight pressure within the bottle will cause the plug or Ibutton 26'to rise to permit the escape of air from the container during filling. With the parts in loose engagement, the assembly is heat sterilized and is then ready for filling.

Filling is accomplished by means of a. veinipuncture needle or other sterile device, inserted through stopper 33 and plug 29 via tubulature 35,

other suitable When the lling operation is terminated, the

needle is withdrawn and the screw cap tightened, pressing together stopper 93 and plug 29 to seal off the air vent 3|. Because of the resiliency and wedging action of 33 and 29, the needle perforations are satisfactorily sealed in tightening the' screw cap. In the tightening operation, the hole 23 in the flange of the cap moves out o! registration with the hole |4 and therefore the flange will bear upon the resilient washer to effectively seal the hole I4. Afterwards, as a precautionary measure, a Acrown cap 3l, of conventional design with the center removed, may then be slipped over the neck of the bottle and tightened over the cap flange I9 to prevent unscrewing of the cap.

In dispensing the sterile liquid within the container, the crown cap is removed and the screw cap loosened until the hole 23 in the cap iiange is centered above the plug 29. A sterile dispensing needle is then inserted at" indentation 28 through the washer and plug 28. The unscrewing of the cap causes the stopper il?.l to be lifted free of plug 29, and the constricted portionV of the center neck of the coA tainer, thus removing the obstruction from vent 3|, which now acts as an air inlet. By virtue of the and 33, the holes punctured in them by the filling device remain closed so that the air which is admitted into the bottle must follow the less rehigh resiliency of the parts 29 sistant path along the loosely fitting screw threads and so into the container.

Instead of making the container in the usual manner with a iiat bottom, I may provide it with an inclined bottom portion 40 (Fig. 5) so the Aliquid level will be along the line 4| in this figure when the bottle is resting on the portion '40. With this arrangement a positive liquid head is provided at the beginning of the dispensing, so that the dispensing line may be iilled by a selfstartingsyphon action, thus making the usual inverting of the bottle unnecessary. This pressure head may be varied by changing the distance between plugs 26 and 29.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 the hole |3a is counter-bored so as to provide an annular edge |3b designed to contact with the conical face i3c of the stopper I3a. With this construction the plug 29-ls eliminated and a single plug or stopper serves the same purpose. Also in this embodiment the plug or button 26a is shown as a part separate from the washer 24a but serving the same purpose as the combined washer and button ensemble. In this construction the washer has a depending nipple 24b projecting into a cavity in the top of the button.

If desired, tubes 42, 43 may be connected to either one or both of the plugs 29a and 26a, as illustrated in Fig. 7. These tubes need notbe straight as shown, but may be bent to reach any point in the interior of the bottle, and may be used either -as vent or delivery tubes.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the cap 50 has an outer wall and base flange similar to the caps in the other figures, butin addition has an inner wall 5l arranged parallel to and spaced from the outer wall by a'n annular chamber 52 for the reception oi ltering material 53. Near the upper end, the chamber is adapted to communicate by means of ports 54, in the inner wall, with the interior of the bottle neck 55. Here also the inner wall of the cap and assaesi the neck have coarse screw threads, as indicated at 56 and these threads are in tight engagement so that no air travels between the bottle neck and the inner wall 5|. Near the lower end of the cap the walls may be connected by spaced partitions 51 (Fig. 9) The washer 58 in this form of the invention may be provided with an annular top bead 59 designed to enter the lower ond of the chamber 52 for sealing purposes. It will be obvious that when the cap is partially unscrewed to move the ports 54 to a higher elevation than the top of the bottle neck, air may travel through 53 and 54 and ,beneath the base flange of the cap either into or out of the bottle during iilling and discharging.

In Fig. 10. instead of using ,a double wall cap, I provide the bottle neck with an inner wall 60 and an outer wall 6|, spaced apart to provide an annular chamber for the reception of filtering material 62'. In this case the outer Wall is provided near its lower end with ports 63 for the entrance of air into'the ltering chamber or for the exit of air therefrom. A resilient gasket 64 having air ports 55 forms a 'cover for the upper end of the iilter chamber. In this modification, when the cap is raised slightly air may travel through 63,' 65 and the filter chamber and beneath the base flange of the cap in illling or emptying the receptacle.

While I have disclosed what I now consider to be some preferred embodiments of the invention in such manner that the same may be readily understood by those skilled in the art, I am aware that changes maybe made in the details without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What I- claim and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A receptacle of the character described having a. top provided with a central opening and an off-center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided with a base fiange extending over said oir-center opening, said ange having an opening designed to register with said oit-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said tiange and the top of the receptacle and.provided with a plug normally closing said off-center opening and adapted to be held in closed position by the flange, a tubular member connected to the cap` and extending into the bottle neck, and a closure for the central open-v ing including a stopper carried by said tubular member.

2. A receptacle of the character described having a top provided with a central opening and an off-center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided with a base flange extending over said oil-center opening, the threaded engagement between the cap and neck being suillciently loose to permit air' to travel betwen them, said flange having an opening designed'to register with said oil-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said vflange and the top of the receptacle and provided with a plug normally closing said oil-center opening and adapted to be held in closed position by the ange, a tubular member connected to the cap and extending into the bottle neck, and a closure for gaseosa.

the central opening including a -stopperc'arrie'd by said tubular member.

3. A. receptacle of the character described having a top provided with a central opening and an on-center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided with a base iiange extending over said olf-center opening, said ange'having an opening designed to registr with said off-center opening when the`cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between. said ilange and the top of the 'receptacle and provided with a plug normally closing said oil-center opening andadapted to be held in closed position by the flange, a tubular member connected to the cap and extending into the bottleneck, a-Aclosure for the central opening including a stopper carried by said tubular member, and an annular cap securing the base iiange to the top of the receptacle.

4. A receptacle of the character described having a. top provided with a central opening 'and an oft-center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided with a base iiange extending over said oir-center opening, said' flange havingl an opening designed to register" with said oil-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said flange and the top of the receptacle vand provided with a plug normally closing said off-center opening and adapted to be held in closed position by 'theilange said washer and plug being formed of puncturable material.

5. A receptacle of the character described having a top provided with a central-opening and an oil-center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided with a base flange extending over said omcenter opening, said ange having an opening designed to register with said of-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said iiange and the top of the receptacle and provided with a plug normally closing said oli-center opening and adapted to be held in closed position by the flange, a tubular member connected to the cap and extending into the bottle neck, and a closure for the central opening including ra stopper carried by said tubular' member, said closure bel ing of puncturable material.

6. A receptacle of the character described hav- 'ing a top provided with a central opening and an off -center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided with a base iiange extending over said off-center opening, said flange having an opening designed toregister with said oil-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said iiange and the top of the receptacle and provided with a plug normally closing said olf-center opening and adapted to be held in closed position by the flange, a tubular member connected to the cap and extending into the bottle neck, a second plug of resilient puncturable material closing the central opening and provided with an air vent, and a puncturablestopper carried by the tubular vmember and cooperating with the second plug in closing the central openilange having 7. A receptacle of the character described having a top provided with a central opening and an oil-center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided'with a base flange extendingl over said olf-center opening, said with said ofi-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, an annular washer arranged between said ilange and the top of the receptacle and provided with a plug normally closing said oir-center opening and adapted to be closed position by the iiange, a. tubular opening including a Astopper carried by said tubular member.

8. A receptacle of the`character described having a top provided with a central opening and an off-center opening, a neck extending upwardly lfrom the top and provided with a screw thread. a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided with a base flange extending over said oil-center opening, said flange having an ope' designed to register with said when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said iiange. and the top of the receptacle and material and the washer having indicating means in its top immediately portion of the plug, a tubular member connected to the cap and extending into the bottle neck, and a closure for the -central opening including a stopper carried by said tubular member.

9. A receptacle of the character described having a top provided with a central opening and an o'center opening, the receptacle having a bottom provided with at an obtuse angle to the vertical center of the receptacle, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with said screw thread and provided with a base :dange extending over said o-center opening, said flange having an opening designed to register with said off-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said flange and the top of the receptacle and provided with a for the central opening including a stopper carried by said tubularmember.

10. A receptacle of the character described having a top provided with a central opening and an off-center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having inner and outer walls spaced apart to provide a chamber for iiltering material, the inner wall having threaded engagement with said neck, the cap also having a passageway-to place said chamber in communication with the interior of the neck, a base ange united with the outer wall and extending over said o-center opening, said ange having an opening designed to register with said off-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said ilange and the top of the receptacle and provided with a plug normally an opening designed to register l a supporting surface arranged the inner wall having cloeing said oil-center opening and adapted to be lhelcllirnclosed position by the flange. a tubulaiZ member connected to the cap and extending into the bottle neck, and a closure for the central opening including a stopper carried vby said tubular member.,`

1l. A receptaclngi.' the character described having a top providiwith a central opening and an oil-center openi avneok extending upwardly from the top`and provided with a screw thread, a cap having inner a outer walls spaced apart to provide a chamber for filtering material, threaded engagement with said neck, the cap also having a passageway to place said chamber in communication with the interior of the neck, a base flange united with the outer wall and extending over said oil-center opening, said flange having an opening designed to register with said ofi-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer arranged between said ilange and the top of the receptacle and provided with a plug normally closing said ofi-center opening and adapted to be held in closed position by the ange, a tubular member connected to the cap and extending into the bottle neck, a closure for the central opening including a stopper carried by said tubular member, and an annular bead provided on the washer and extending upwardly into said annular chamber. l

12. A receptacle ofthe character described havinga top provided with a central opening and an ofi--center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with a screw thread, a cap having inner and outer walls spaced apart to provide a chamber for filtering material. the inner wall having threaded engagement with said neck, the cap also having a passageway to place said chamber in communication with the interior of the neck, a base ilange united with necting said walls near the base ilange oi the cap.

13. A receptacle of the character described having a top provided with a central opening and an oil-center opening, a neck extending upwardly from the top and provided with inner and outer walls spaced apart to provide a substantially annular chamber adapted to contain filtering material, means near the lower end o! the outer wall to permit entrance of air into and exit oi.' air from the chamber, removable means closing f the top of the chamber and provided with an air vent, said outer Wall being provided with a screw thread, a cap having threaded engagement with -said screw thread and provided with a base ilange extending over said off-center opening, said Iiange having an orice designed to register with said off-center opening when the cap is in a predetermined position, a washer of puncturable material arranged between said ange and the top of the receptacle and provided with a puncturable plug normally closing said oil-center opening, said plug being held in closed position by the ilange, a tubular` member connected to the cap and extending into the bottle neck, and a closure for the central opening including a stopper carried by said tubular member.

CHARLES M. DE WOODY. 

